Witkoff Comments on American Statement on Lebanon-Israel Normalization
The U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Stephen Witkoff, indicated that normalizing relations between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel has become a real possibility, and he also noted that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has changed from what he used to be.
In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff stated, I think Lebanon can normalize relations with Israel, literally by signing a peace treaty between the two countries. This is truly possible. The same applies to Syria.
Witkoff pointed out that al-Sharaa had evolved over time, saying, People change. You are a completely different person at fifty-five than you were at thirty-five. Personally, I realize that at sixty-eight, I am not the same person I was thirty years ago. Perhaps Ahmad al-Sharaa, once known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani in Syria, is a different person now. They expelled Iran from there.
Witkoff highlighted that normalizing relations between Lebanon and Israel, followed by Syria and Israel, could be part of a larger effort to achieve peace in the region. He added, Imagine if Lebanon normalized its relations with Israel, then Syria did the same, and Saudi Arabia signed a normalization agreement with Israel after achieving peace in Gaza. This would be a precondition for normalization with Saudi Arabia.
He emphasized that such steps could lead to the formation of an alliance among Gulf countries, working together to ensure regional stability.
